“Is there anything else you need?” Wei Longshen asked. “Anything at all?”
“Nothing,” Yun Ling replied. “I have fulfilled my oaths and done my utmost. You have paid my price, so nothing is owed. When I return to the hospital, I’ll be sure to discreetly inquire with my colleagues about any further treatments that might help.”
“Thank you for the hard work, Dr. Yun,” Wei Longshen said.
“It was my pleasure,” Dr. Yun said. He bowed and followed a servant out of the room. Wei Yimu looked in, and Madame Wei’s red eyes waited outside the door. Two other elders were also posted at the doors. The emergency had pulled them out of their seclusion.
“I’m sorry, Mother,” Wei Longshen said softly.
She sniffed. “You have nothing to be sorry for. He knew the risks full well. We even talked about it before he bound the protective charm.”
“The decisions I made led up to what happened,” Wei Longshen insisted.
“And it was his decision to take this risk,” she replied. “If he heard you trying to take responsibility for what isn’t your fault, he’d reprimand you and have you filing mundane paperwork for a month.” She blinked, her sleep-deprived eyes focusing. “Is there anything I can help with? I was never really good at administration, but…”
“We have things under control,” Wei Longshen lied. “With Elder Wei Jiang having taken on Father’s end of things. We’ll manage. We might not be as capable as Father, but our clan can still function until he wakes.”
“I feel I should be helping,” she said.
“You’re helping by watching over him when we can’t,” Wei Longshen said. He looked at his father, pale as his bedsheets and thin as a beggar. His soul was a mere shadow of what it once was. Through his soul-piping abilities, Wei Longshen could see the black cuts covering the man’s jade soul and the mangled wings that had appeared mid-battle. These wings and the angelic endowment they represented were likely the only thing that saved him. “He’ll be fine,” he assured his mother. “You’ll see.”
She nodded, and he left her in the room.
“Oh, how I wish I’d made different decisions,” Wei Longshen said. Wei Yimu followed him down the quiet, carefully guarded corridors.
“You hardly could have known they’d resort to such extremes,” Wei Yimu said. “Your father and I didn’t expect it, so it’s as much my fault as it is yours.”
Oh, how little he knows, Wei Longshen thought.
Wei Yimu still hadn’t figured it out. He still thought it was a matter of business. How could he possibly conceive that Cao Wenluan was behind it, and all for personal reasons? I’ll have to convince her to run away, Wei Longshen thought. This happened because I was selfish. I should have let her run off instead of roping her in.
Things had been going so well, so Wei Longshen had forgotten his old maxim. He wasn’t meant to have nice things. His father’s injuries were clear evidence of what happened when he thought otherwise.
“There you are,” a woman said as they rounded a corner. His sister, Wei Xinya, appeared. “Elder Yimu, if you’ll give me a minute with my brother? Also, would you be a dear and take care of the elders from the Xia Clan? They’ve been waiting to see someone for the past hour, and their turn came about just now.”
“Fine,” Wei Yimu said. “After we resolve a few things.”
“What is it this time?” Wei Longshen asked.
“The Long Clan has defected to the Cao Clan, choosing to suffer the penalties of their oaths,” Wei Yimu said. “The elders would like to know which punitive actions we should take.”
“None,” Wei Longshen said.
“None?” Wei Yimu said. “This will set a bad precedent.”
“The other clans will sense our weakness,” Wei Xinya warned.
“Tell me, Uncle Yimu, with what spare forces and what power shall we enforce any penalties?” Wei Longshen asked. “Also, Xinya, how could we appear anything less than weak when our patriarch is comatose? Besides, if I recall correctly, the Long Clan’s penalties were the lightest. The other clans won’t have such an easy time, and I refuse to believe more than a few of them will leave.”
“I’ll issue a statement saying that we will remember those who have abandoned us in our time of need,” Wei Yimu said. “Likewise, we will remember those who stayed.”
“That would be for the best,” Wei Longshen said. “What else?”
“An elder was caught sending information outside the clan,” Wei Yimu said gravely.
Wei Longshen’s expression darkened. “Execute him. Hold a swift but fair trial, but if he is guilty of what you said, execute him as per family law.”
Wei Yimu nodded gravely. “The elders will be pleased by your decisiveness.” And that was half the battle. Not only did they have to wage war with outside forces trying to tear down their clan, but they also needed to protect it from collapsing from within. “Lastly, we’ll need you to issue a statement assuring the rest of the clan. As soon as possible.”
“Please draft one for me, and I’ll get to it today,” Wei Longshen said. “You’re right, I’ve been holding off on it for too long.”
“The clan understands, but they also need assurances,” Wei Yimu said. “With that taken care of, I’ll take my leave. You said Xia Clan elders?” He made his way toward their group like they were long lost friends.
Wei Longshen then followed Wei Xinya down the corridor and into a private room “What happened?” Wei Longshen asked.
“I found someone who might know more about what’s happening,” Wei Xinya said. “The only problem is that she refuses to speak to me. She asks for you and only you. Don’t screw this up.”
“Who—” Wei Longshen started, then realized that could only mean one person. “Is Madam Cao here as well? Should we get Mother to distract her?”
“No one knows Shufen is here, and she’d prefer to keep it that way,” Wei Xinya said. “Let me know what you find out. I’m hearing all sorts of dreadful rumors, and we need truth before we act on anything.”
“I have an inkling about what’s going on,” Wei Longshen said. “But I’ll confirm.”
His sister led him to an out-of-the-way courtyard. It was more private than most, relying on its secure and soundproof double doors and lack of windows for privacy. It was an ideal place for sensitive business meetings. Wei Xinya pushed Wei Longshen through the door into a well-lit garden filled with a half dozen trees filled with light-blue pears.
He saw Cao Shufen sitting on a bench, pretty as ever. He remembered her hateful brother, and his temper flared. He reined in his emotions, however. Her family might be responsible, but she could easily be innocent. Also, they needed her. So he gritted his teeth and made his way over.
“They sound lovely, don’t they?” Cao Shufen said as he approached. She didn’t turn her head but continued staring at one of the pear trees.
“Who?” Wei Longshen asked, sitting down on the bench. He didn’t look at her. He didn’t trust his anger not to show.
“The songbirds, of course,” Cao Shufen said. “They’re natural musicians. They play nature’s song if you care to listen for it.”
“There’s some truth to that,” Wei Longshen admitted. “Demons, even bestial demons, are much more in tune with their surroundings. If allowed to grow, these birds would undoubtedly acquire abilities related to sound and music.” He paused and considered his next words. “You wanted to speak with me?”
“It’s been a while since we last met,” Cao Shufen said. “And my mother has been asking me to do so ever since our last meeting. But I am shy, so I am without escort. They’ll understand, I’m sure. To be clear, I’m here to woo you, Wei Longshen.”
“How refreshingly straightforward,” Wei Longshen said. “I see that your family still holds little faith in the power of love and family friendship.”
“What family friendship?” Cao Shufen said. “Last I checked, the Mi Clan is days away from severing all diplomatic ties with the Wei Clan. Th
ey didn’t take kindly to their princess’s injuries.”
“How convenient for the Cao Clan,” Wei Longshen said.
“It wasn’t my idea,” Cao Shufen said. “My condolences for your father, Longshen. I doubt even Wenluan wanted such a thing to happen. He much admires Patriarch Wei despite his words to the contrary.”
“So you don’t deny it?” Wei Longshen asked.
“What is there to deny?” Cao Shufen said. “Look at me.”
Wei Longshen did so, and he saw regret and sadness written on her face.
“You know my brother is responsible. But you should also know that you know because he wanted you to know.”
“All to push for two marriages,” Wei Longshen said. “One to you, a pleasant bonus, and one to him, the main prize.”
“My brother is ambitious,” Cao Shufen confessed. “He has a gift for evaluating talent. He knows you have great potential. Our marriage would result in powerful support for his rise through the ranks. Breaking through to rune gathering and heading to the capital would be a matter of course. I hesitate to spell out specific goals only because I fear I’ll underestimate his ambition.”
“Why Mi Fei?” Wei Longshen asked.
“Why else?” Cao Shufen said. “She has a rare Grandmist core.”
Wei Longshen frowned. That wasn’t common knowledge.
“Most people don’t know this, but at least half a dozen others in the prefecture know, including the prefecture lord.”
“He could have any other woman,” Wei Longshen said, his anger bubbling through.
She smiled sadly. “Those in his harem are all top-notch talents, Longshen. It stands to reason that a talented woman like Mi Fei would be a prime target, especially one so alone and unprotected.”
“I loathe your brother and everything he stands for,” Wei Longshen said. “If I could slip a dagger into his back, I would in an instant.”
“Don’t even try it,” Cao Shufen said, shuddering. “Many people who have tried to teach him a lesson have gotten their cultivations destroyed, their fortunes stolen, and their lives ruined. You haven’t lived with him, Longshen. You have no idea what he’s capable of.”
“And you coming here to warn me?” Wei Longshen said. “Don’t you think that’s also part of his plan?”
She flushed. “Believe it or not, I’m here against my family’s wishes.”
“Fine,” Wei Longshen said. The cat was officially out of the bag. Cao Wenluan had done this. Unfortunately, there was little they could do about it. His father was out of commission, and his family was vulnerable. Unfortunately, it wasn’t their situation that worried him; it was Mi Fei’s. “She won’t accept him, you know. She’d rather die than marry him.”
“I am aware,” Cao Shufen said. “Either way, that should concern you, should it not?”
It did. He wondered what lengths the man would go to in order to secure her. “Is he still in the demon lands?” Wei Longshen asked.
“Yes,” Cao Shufen said. “He won’t return until the campaign is over. Perhaps you can use this time to ensure her safety.”
“Thank you,” Wei Longshen said. “You’ve given me much to think about. Please visit again if you have anything more to share with me.”
“For what it’s worth, I hope everything works out,” Cao Shufen said. She rose and headed toward another door, a secret one that would usher her out of the mansion and into a different part of the city through a teleportation formation. “Before I leave, a piece of advice.”
“Go on,” Wei Longshen said.
“Beware of the Mi Clan,” Cao Shufen said before stepping into the room and closing the door. The teleportation formation flashed soon after.
Seven hells, am I ever a fool, Wei Longshen thought. He ran out of the garden, knocking his surprised sister to the floor in the process. She’d naturally been eavesdropping. Not that he cared. Not now.
“Wei Longshen, talk to me,” Wei Xinya called out.
“No time!” Wei Longshen yelled. A messenger spotted him as he ran into the entrance hall.
“Important news from the Mi Clan,” the messenger said, handing an information jade to Wei Longshen.
He quickly grabbed it and scanned its contents. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Elder Yimu!” Wei Longshen shouted.
Wei Yimu teleported beside him. “Urgent news?” he said.
“We’re headed off to the Mi Clan,” Wei Longshen said. “Bring some elders.”
“That may not be the most diplomatic thing to do,” Wei Yimu started, but he saw the anger in his eyes. “Right away, Young Master.”
Pain arced down her shoulder and across her chest when Mi Fei woke. She blinked at the sunlight peering out of the curtains. I’m alive? she thought, looking around. She moved to get up but winced. A scar ran through her shoulder and deep into her flesh, refusing to heal due to the foreign qi and concepts they contained.
I’m cursed, Mi Fei thought, lying back down. My dreams tried to warn me, but I ignored them. I should have listened to Xiao Bai. She should have followed her instincts and dropped everything. She wasn’t meant to stay in one place. She always ran away.
Now here she was, wounded and vulnerable. Mi Fei gritted her teeth and started the mechanical process of sweeping through her wounds, using her own domain and concepts to chase away rampant powers of shadow and space. If it were anyone else, such a wound would take months to heal. Fortunately, she had Grandmist.
Hours passed by in a flash. By the time she was finished, it was nearly lunchtime. Xiao Bai returned, surprised to see her up already.
“You stupid girl,” Xiao Bai said, feeling at the wound on her chest. “Healed already?”
“I’ve been working on it all morning,” Mi Fei said weakly. “And where have you been?”
“Eating,” Xiao Bai said. “Demons need a lot of energy to recover, you know.”
“Fair enough,” Mi Fei said, eyeing the bright light behind the curtains. “How about we go out for a walk?” She saw a shadow in the corner of her eye. “The assassin?”
“Dead,” Xiao Bai said.
Mi Fei frowned. Had the assassin and the shadow not been one and the same? That same familiar feeling of dread crept up on her, paralyzing her with fear.
“Mi Fei,” Xiao Bai said, taking a seat on her bed. Mi Fei was hugging her knees and rocking back and forth. “Let’s go. Let’s leave this place.”
“It won’t matter,” Mi Fei said softly. “If I run, the shadows will chase me. Other people will get hurt.”
“I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way,” Xiao Bai said.
“I won’t leave,” Mi Fei said, shaking her head vigorously. “I fought hard for the right to stay. I won’t let some shadow chase me away.”
“You were right,” Xiao Bai said. “There something bad here. Something terrible. We need to run.”
“It’s too late,” Mi Fei said, tearing up. She sniffed and wiped away a tear. “I’ll stay here. You run.” Then she flinched as Xiao Bai slapped her across the face.
“We’re a team,” Xiao Bai said. “I know you’re all mopey, but you’ll get over it. All you need is time. And fresh air. Let’s get going, okay? At least take a walk.”
“Fine,” Mi Fei said.
She groaned as she pushed herself out of bed, went over to the mirror, and frowned when she saw the bags under her eyes. Seven hells, she looked dreadful. She washed her face and brushed her teeth before tying her hair in a loose ponytail. She couldn’t be bothered with a tight bun or braid. She stuck with plain green cultivation robes.
They went to the gardens first and walked among the flowers. The flowers changed with every month. Today, a tree was blooming with white-and-violet flowers that looked like they belonged on a rosebush. They floated there at eye level, purposefully cultivated to this exact height by a talented gardener.
“See?” Xiao Bai said, spinning in circles with her hands outstretched. “This is life. Walking around in the sun. Feeling the wind.”
<
br /> Mi Fei groaned. It might be close to noon, but it felt way too early to have to deal with any of this.
It was almost lunch, so the garden was empty. The silence and the exercise got Mi Fei thinking again. It’s all my fault, she thought. But I can’t change what happened. Then she realized she didn’t know what was her fault and what had happened.
“Xiao Bai, what happened after we lost consciousness?” Mi Fei said.
Xiao Bai stopped. “Bad things,” she said softly. “We were both injured. Wei Longshen’s father appeared. Killed the assassin, but the assassin got him.”
Mi Fei paled. “Is he—”
“No,” Xiao Bai said. “But he’s hurt. Comatose. No one knows when he’ll get up.”
Mi Fei’s expression fell. They finished the rest of their walk in silence, and by the end of it, Mi Fei felt just as terrible as when they’d started. The lunch bell rang when they got back to her residence. They found her mother’s assistant waiting for her at the door. “There you are,” she said. “The doctor was hopeful you’d be up around lunchtime. Since you’re up and about, why don’t you come along?”
“Come along where?” Mi Fei said. “It’s lunchtime, and we’re starving.”
“The maid brought lunch for your demon companion, but your mother awaits you in the dining room,” the strict woman said. She eyed her up and down before clicking her tongue. “Your attire leaves much to be desired, but better unfashionable than late.”
“I don’t want to go,” Mi Fei said.
“Madame Mi insisted,” the woman said. “She said it was important. That you’d want to be there.”
“But Xiao Bai will be lonely,” Mi Fei said.
“I’ll be fine,” Xiao Bai said. “I wouldn’t want to hang out with your mother anyway. She’s mean.”
“You will not speak ill of the lady of the house,” the woman said sternly.
“You haven’t done anything about it yet, so I’m not about to stop,” Xiao Bai said, rolling her eyes. Before the woman could reply, she zipped into the residence and closed the door.
Claddings of Light : Book 12 of Painting the Mists Page 42